Fact finding: The Continental Mansion owners' corporation chairman briefs Chief Executive Donald Tsang on improvements made to the building after large-scale maintenance works.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang visited Eastern District today to gain a better understanding of private residential building management.

He first visited Harmony Garden in Siu Sai Wan, a housing estate built under the Private Sector Participation Scheme.

He met the owners' corporation chairman and members of the management committee to learn about the difficulties they encounter in forming an owners' corporation and the assistance received from the District Office.

Active participation vital

Praising their dedication to the formation and operation of the owners' corporation, Mr Tsang said active participation and support from flat owners is vital to effective building management.

The Government encourages and assists property owners to form owners' corporations to manage their private properties more effectively, he said.

"However, the formation of an owners' corporation is only the first step. Owners should not rely solely on the work of a few devoted office holders of the owners' corporation.

"They should take the initiative to participate, promote and monitor the work of building management. There are many things they can do. They can pay more attention to the building's notice board to better understand the owners' corporation operation. They can also actively attend owners' meetings to give their views to the owners' corporation and management committee."

Dedicated collaboration

The Chief Executive then visited Continental Mansion in North Point to listen to the experience of the owners' corporation in co-ordinating large-scale maintenance works.

"The success of the maintenance works fully demonstrated a dedicated collaboration as well as mutual understanding and accommodation between the owners' corporation and flat owners. It sets a good example for other owners' corporations," Mr Tsang said.

Mr Tsang then toured Aquarium Plaza in Quarry Bay, the first shopping arcade in Hong Kong using an aquarium as its theme.